By Bob Schmidt, Mack’s Lure
After a few challenging winters that tested the resolve of even the most dedicated steelhead anglers, I’m genuinely excited to share some positive news about the 2024-25 season. The forecast numbers are encouraging, the regulations are opening up opportunities that should make for a good season.
Let's start with the run forecasts. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is forecasting nearly 37,000 wild winter-run steelhead returning to coastal rivers from Naselle north to Forks. That’s roughly 5,500 more fish than last season and over 11,000 more than the troubling low point we hit in 2020-21. But raw numbers only tell part of the story.
What matters to us are the individual river forecasts and what they mean for management decisions. The Quillayute system is sitting at 9,662 fish. That forecast is 64 percent above escapement goals. That surplus gives managers room to provide fishing opportunity while still protecting the breeding population. The Hoh forecast of 4,287 steelhead runs 79 percent over goal, and the Upper Quinault’s 2,260 fish represents an impressive 88 percent surplus. In Willapa Bay, biologists expect 4,923 steelhead, running 17 percent above target.
For Chehalis system anglers (and I know many of you have been frustrated by recent closures) the forecast looks particularly encouraging with just under 9,800 wild steelhead expected, about 1,200 fish or 14 percent more than the escapement goal. This theoretically provides 490 potential sport mortalities, which translates to approximately 4,840 total wild fish encounters when you account for catch-and-release mortality rates. WDFW Fish Program Director Kelly Cunningham expressed optimism about reaching agreements with tribal co-managers, stating, “I don’t feel there are any indicators we won’t”.
The management changes reflect this improved outlook. Under revised proposals, the Chehalis below the Skookumchuck, along with the Skookumchuck, Satsop, and Wynoochee tributaries, would open in January and February under selective-gear and single-point barbless hook rules. December would see bait allowed. That is a significant shift that benefits anglers targeting earlier-returning hatchery fish.
The lower Bogachiel and Calawah would also permit bait for the first time in recent years to tap into hatchery fish headed back to their home waters. On the Hoh below Morgans Crossing, boat fishing would be open every day instead of the staggered schedule used during last year’s study, which should be a major convenience for guides and visiting anglers.
One cautionary note: the Humptulips system forecast of 1,482 native steelhead falls 7 percent below escapement goals, which will limit opportunities there. WDFW’s statewide steelhead management plan restricts impacts on runs predicted below escapement to no more than 10 percent from all fisheries. We appreciate a conservative approach that prioritizes long-term sustainability over short-term opportunity.
Based on conversations with our pro staff, forecast data, and my own observations, here are the critical strategic factors for winter steelhead success in 2025:
December represents prime time for hatchery fish as new regulations allow bait fishing during their peak run timing. This approach protects wild fish, which typically arrive later, while maximizing opportunities for anglers seeking keeper fish. Hatchery steelhead (marked by clipped adipose fins) can be harvested legally, providing fresh table fare for families who appreciate these excellent-eating fish.
As we move into January and February, wild fish become more prevalent. Techniques shift toward presentations that facilitate safe releases: barbless hooks, rubber worms, jigs fished under floats. The goal becomes enjoying the fight and release while minimizing stress and injury to fish that must successfully spawn.
Winter rivers are dynamic, changing character within hours as weather systems move through. A system that’s gin-clear on Monday can be chocolate milk by Wednesday afternoon. Successful anglers carry multiple setups calibrated to specific conditions:
The forecast numbers point to specific systems offering the best opportunities. Quillayute tributaries: Sol Duc, Bogachiel, and Calawah show strong returns and expanded regulations. The Hoh’s improved forecast and daily boat access make it attractive for guided trips and serious anglers. Chehalis tributaries opening in January and February provide excellent opportunities closer to population centers.
Research launch access, parking regulations, and private property boundaries before traveling to new systems. Washington has made significant investments in angler access, but knowing where you can legally fish prevents wasted time and potential legal issues.
While celebrating improved forecasts, we must maintain perspective. These steelhead runs represent decades of conservation effort, habitat restoration, and careful management. Kelly Cunningham’s comments about targeting hatchery fish during December while protecting wild fish during their peak spawning runs reflects a balanced approach that sustains opportunity.
Practice matters. Keep fish in water for photos when possible. Minimize handling time. Be aware that every second out of water stresses their systems. Use barbless hooks for easier, faster releases. Choose techniques like worms and jigs that reduce deep hooking. Revive fish thoroughly in current before releasing. Never just toss them back.
While optimistic about this season, we must acknowledge ongoing challenges. The National Marine Fisheries Service is conducting a comprehensive review of Olympic Peninsula steelhead for potential Endangered Species Act listing, with a determination expected before year’s end. This could significantly impact future seasons, making this winter’s improved opportunities all the more precious.
Climate change continues affecting ocean conditions, freshwater habitat, and run timing. Predation by seals, sea lions, and terns at river mouths remains a significant mortality factor. Hatchery reform continues as managers balance supplementation with wild fish genetics and behavior.
But there’s also tremendous reason for hope. Habitat restoration projects are showing results. Ocean conditions have improved for multiple species. Anglers, tribes, and managers are finding common ground on difficult issues. And young anglers are discovering steelhead fishing, ensuring this tradition continues.
I’ve spent over three decades working alongside guides, competitive anglers, and serious enthusiasts. These are the people who fish 100+ days a year and make their living on the water. Every product in our catalog starts with a problem they’re trying to solve, not with what we think will look good in a package.
Here are the top tackle recommendations our pro and guide staff recommend for fishing steelhead.
The Rock Dancer works well because of a combination of factors: In winter, steelhead are energy conscious. They’re often not chasing anything too far. They want something that smells like natural food, moving naturally, right in front of them.
The bucktail holds scent well and still moves where chicken feathers, marabou, matts up. The high-performance scent collar on the Rock Dancer enhances that advantage even more.
The Glo eyes aren’t flashy decoration. Steelhead have excellent vision, particularly in clear winter water. But our paint formulation (a UV-impregnated two-part urethane) matters because standard paints chip. After landing three or four fish, your jig looks beaten up, and appearance affects strikes. Guides complained about this for years. We solved it with paint engineered to hold up to repeated use.
Weight selection directly affects presentation quality. Too light and your jig doesn’t reach the strike zone naturally. Too heavy and it drops vertically like a sinker, unnatural and ineffective. We offer 1/8-oz, 1/4-oz, 3/8-oz and 1/2-oz because Jason Brooks, Duane Inglin, and other pros convinced us that water conditions demand options, not one-size-fits-all solutions.
The Smile Blade emerged from a simple observation: when water clarity drops, steelhead rely on vibration detection more than vision. Our basically weightless mylar blade creates visible flash, yes, but more importantly, it generates sonic vibration through water displacement.
Here’s the strategic part that matters, we didn’t design Smile Blades to replace natural presentations. We designed them to enhance them. Position a Smile Blade ahead of coon shrimp, and you create a multi-sensory trigger. This is key because steelhead detect vibration first, move toward flash, then encounter natural scent and profile.
The dual-hook rigging on our Smile Blade Shrimp Rig isn’t random. The upper hook secures the bait. The stinger hook (what we call the lower hook) catches short strikes and nipping fish. Guides insisted on this detail because it improved hookup rates significantly in their experience.
The 1.5 Smile Blade can be swapped out for a 1.9 for muddier conditions where visibility measures inches, not feet. We have it interchangeable because that’s what the guides working high-water seasons told us actually works. Not what theory suggests, but what catches fish when it matters most.
This component demonstrates perfectly why field testing matters more than design theory. Standard foam floats absorb water gradually, changing buoyancy through your fishing day. An angler adjusts depth perfectly at 9 a.m., but by 2 p.m., that float’s riding lower than intended.
Mack’s Cha Cha Floats use high-density poly foam that maintains consistent flotation. That consistency matters enormously when you’re trying to keep a rubber worm suspended 1-2 feet from bottom, right in the strike zone where steelhead hold.
The pill shape isn’t decorative either. Round or traditional bobber-style floats create unnatural silhouettes in the water. The Cha Cha’s profile mimics natural presentations. When Jason Brooks threads it on his mainline above rubber worms, it looks right. Steelhead see something that matches their natural food environment.
Color options (yellow, white, chartreuse, red) serve dual purposes. Yes, you see when your float disappears, and you hook a fish. But steelhead also see those colors, and they respond. In darker water conditions, a chartreuse float adds visual attraction to your entire presentation.
The most important principle: these tackle options are designed to complement each other.
PRO TIP: Float a Rock Dancer Jig under a Cha Cha Float in clear conditions, and you get natural profile with precise depth control. Add a small pink worm tip, and you layer in scent without overwhelming the presentation. Perfect for early-season or clear-water scenarios.
Read Jason Brooks Steelhead Article from the Mack Attack Archive
In more colored water, use a Smile Blade. Now you’ve got vibration plus natural appearance. The presentation works on multiple sensory triggers.
When rivers blow out and visibility disappears, switch your entire approach. Smile Blade Shrimp Rig with a larger dark shrimp, and maximum vibration. You’re using physics and fish biology to overcome poor visibility.
After four winters of restricted opportunity and conservation concerns, we are hopeful that this winter represents a turning point for steelhead anglers.
The rivers are waiting. The steelhead are coming. Let’s make this a winter to remember.
Few anglers know steelhead like Jason Brooks. A longtime member of the Mack’s Lure Pro Staff and an avid Pacific Northwest fisherman, Jason has spent years chasing these hard-fighting fish on rivers all over Washington.
He’s known for his deep knowledge, and genuine love for the sport. Over the years, Jason has written articles for The Mack Attack, sharing real-world tips and tactics for finding and catching steelhead in all kinds of conditions.
From reading river flows to fine-tuning jig and float setups, his advice comes straight from time on the water. Jason’s passion and experience make him one of the go-to voices for anglers looking to up their steelhead game.
Jason’s passion and experience make him one of the go-to voices for anglers looking to up their steelhead game. Check out his full archive of Mack Attack articles for even more expert tips.
Description Details Tips The Rock Dancer is a highly effective jig that produces with Glo eyes, quality bucktail and premium hooks. Add som...
View full detailsDescription Details FAQ/Tips Ensure a high hook-up rate with the Smile Blade Shrimp Rig. Effective for salmon or steelhead thanks to the Cha C...
View full detailsDescription Details Tips The Smile Blade provides lifelike action at speeds as slow as 1/4 mph and is easily tuned. Adjust to a wide-angle ...
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By Haley Rodriguez, Mack's Lure Staff Writer As fall sweeps in and temperatures drop, seasoned anglers know it's prime time to target steelhead, the elusive, hard-fighting cousin of rainbow trout. With the cooling rivers and shorter daylight hours, these fish...
